Obtention of biochar-Fe/Ce using Punica granatum with high adsorption of ampicillin capacity

This research presents the obtaining of a biochar (CB) from the use of pomegranate peel (Punica granatum) conditioned with iron and cerium nanoparticles (C-Fe/Ce), as well as its characterization by SEM (Scanning Electronic Microscopy), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry), TGA (Thermogravimetric analysis), EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy), XPS (X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) and evaluation of the adsorption capacity of ampicillin (AMP) in aqueous phase at 20, 30 and 40 degrees C. The maximum adsorption capacity for CB was 18.97 mg g(-1) and for C-Fe/Ce, 27.61 mg g(-1) at pH of 7, observing that with increasing temperature, the sorption capacity decreases in both materials, the experimental data was fitted to various mathematical models and the best fit was the pseudo-second order model for the kinetics, whilst for the adsorption isotherms the best fit was with the Langmuir model, indicating that the adsorption process is carried out in a monolayer on a homogeneous surface, through a chemisorption process. According to the thermodynamic parameters this process is carried out through an exothermic reaction. The results obtained indicate that both materials are suitable for the removal of AMP in the aqueous phase and that they can be reused up to 5 times.

Automated summary

This research presents the production and characterization of biochar derived from pomegranate peel conditioned with iron and cerium nanoparticles, as well as its capability to adsorb ampicillin in aqueous phase. The experimental results show that the biochar has a high adsorption capacity for ampicillin and can be reused multiple times.